The 18-year-old has been compared to a Premier League legends after his display at Athens.
Bukayo Saka’s stunning breakthrough season continued with another aid in Arsenal’s Europa League triumph at Olympiacos, together with his performance branded “world-class” by former Gunners striker Robin van Persie.
The 18-year-old provided the very low cross which was converted by Alexandre Lacazette with nine minutes left to give Mikel Arteta’s side an impressive success in their last-32 first-leg battle in Athens.
No other Arsenal participant has supplied more assists this season than the nine currently laid on by Saka, who also has three goals to his name.
His performance certainly earned the acceptance of Van Persie, who believes his pass for Lacazette is similar to what we saw from some of the game’s greats.
“That sort of pass is like from Ryan Giggs, Dennis Bergkamp, Paul Scholes, ordering your striker to move in that danger zone, it is world-class,” the former Netherlands forward told BT Sport.
“This isn’t simple, but he makes it seem easy. Only the great players can make those moves. This is a pass with an idea, with intent, and this is exactly what you want from your own players.
“He has really taken his opportunity and it is wonderful to see a young child really catch his opportunity, to play for his future and do it well.”
Former Gunners defender Martin Keown considers Saka’s emergence sends a message out to other young players in the club, in addition to showing up a few of the more senior players in the squad that are now supporting him in the pecking order.
“He was third option left-back at the start of this year, now look at him, he’s nine assists and nobody can live with him,” Keown told BT Sport.
“We should not forget that this young man is 18 years old, he is coming through the academy. I really don’t want to choose on [Nicolas] Pepe but if you examine the performances, who’s creating the assists? It’s coming from the academy player.
“It’s fortunate he is even in the group but he’s really taken that [chance ]. [Sead] Kolasinac is on the bench having to watch and suck it up.
“You take your chance and make your mark when you have the chance. That must be the message to the young Arsenal players since [Mikel] Arteta will play with you.
“If you are good enough you remain in the group.”
Arteta himself was full of praise for Saka following the game, stressing he is a player that’s constantly looking to improve.
“Absolutely, I am really pleased with how he has developed,” Arteta said of Saka.
“I think he is really pleased with the way he is handling this scenario because there’s a good deal of highlights at the moment but he is really humble. He is always asking questions, meeting with my assistants and ready to improve.
“He’s a wonderful kid and he is very brave. He makes big decisions in the last third, he does not conceal and he has the vision and the ability to execute in areas which are really tight, which is a huge gift.”
